Waterfront Masterplan - review announced

Thursday 15 September 2016

Environment Minister Steve Luce today announced a review of the Masterplan for St Helier's Waterfront.

The existing proposals for the area - the Masterplan for the Esplanade Quarter, was published in April 2008 - but the new St Helier Waterfront Masterplan is likely to be published next year.

The Environment Minister has accepted the recommendation of an independent planning inspector, made in June this year.  

The inspector, Philip Staddon, said the Masterplan for the Esplanade Quarter should be reviewed and updated to provide a sound basis for future decision making and scheme delivery.

The first stage of the review, which will start in the autumn, will look at the six main objectives of the Masterplan and consider if they are still relevant. 

Environment Minister Luce will also review the range of uses in the existing Masterplan to see if they are still relevant and right for the development of this new urban quarter and the regeneration of St Helier. The mechanism for the delivery of the Masterplan will also be examined.

Deputy Luce said: “The regeneration of St Helier is a strategic priority for the Council of Ministers and a review of the St Helier Waterfront Masterplan is another crucial step in the work we’re doing to plan for, invest in and rejuvenate our town to provide good quality homes and open spaces while protecting the coast and countryside from development.”

As part of the review, the Environment Minister will consult other Ministers and may also commission independent expert advice. The outcome of this work will be the subject of consultation and scrutiny before a revised Masterplan for the St Helier Waterfront is adopted in 2017.

The Minister said that in the meantime, he would continue to assess any planning applications that are submitted for further development on the St Helier Waterfront on the basis of the policies that currently exist.

He said: “I am aware that that the inspector ascribed ‘considerably less weight’ to the 2008 Esplanade Quarter Masterplan when he reviewed the Building 5, Esplanade Quarter appeal, but he was satisfied that the policies in the Jersey Waterfront Supplementary Planning Guidance were not diminished by the passage of time. It was his view that the SPG, its content and its policies remain current and carry considerable weight in decision making.

“I note and endorse that observation and I will continue to use that document and other relevant Island Plan policies to determine any applications that may be submitted until a revised Masterplan is in place."